Side-Lights on Astronomy and Kindred Fields of Popular Science

Simon Newcomb (March 12, 1835 – July 11, 1909) was an American astronomer, mathematician and economist of Canadian origin. He studied at Harvard. Simon taught mathematics and astronomy at Johns Hopkins University. Commander of the Legion of Honour (1893). Included in the list of "hundred great economists before Keynes" according to M. Blaug. In 1861-1877 professor of mathematics at the Naval Academy and astronomer observer Naval Observatory in Washington.
A general theme in the collection is that of the structure, extent, and duration of the universe. If you like interesting and entertaining books, you should read this.